Razor having a bifurcated blade-supporting means



W. O. SCHWEIZER Oct. 17, 1961 RAZOR HAVING A BIFURCATED BLADE-SUPPORTINGMEANS 2 Sheets- Sheet 1 Filed June 15, 1959 mOPOmm j m OFOww .E-DO nE IwINVENTOR. Walter 0. 5chwe/zer A TTORNE Y 03. 17, 1961 w. 0. SICHWEIZER3,004,337

RAZOR HAVING A BIFURCATED BLADE-SUPPORTING MEANS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 FiledJune 15, 1959 INVENTOR. WALTER o. SCHWEIZER.

BY gin/35% 777. $3 01 ATTORNEY.

nit tts This application is a continuation-in-part of United Statespatent application of Walter O. Schweizer, Serial No. 634,640, filedJanuary 17, 1957, entitled Razor Construction, now abandoned.

The present invention relates to safety in shaving. The invention isdirected to the general objective of providing a razor constructioncharacterized in performance by a maximum of safety while requiring aminimum of manipulative skill.

The invention provides novel means and method for rendering the cuttingedge of a razor selective to cut hair but not to cut skin.

Although skin is more easily cut than hair, shaving or cutting the hairand not the skin is made possible by the fact that a large part of thehair protruding from the follicles'extends into the area above the skinsurface. Prior art razor constructions and shaving methods are directedto cutting the hair at the skin surface.

A barber uses one hand to smooth and stretch the skin and the other handto pass a cutting edge over the skin surface, an operationrequiring'great skill and care. Prior art safety razors having atoothed, serrated or smooth bar called a guard 'or skin stretcher aheadof the cutting edge have eliminated the need for two hands and reducedthe skill and care required to cut the hair at the skin surface.

., Prior art devices generally feature a bar or skin stretcher which isplaced in advance of the blade in such a manner that the blade as awhole (except the ends) is made available as a cutting edge. The cuttingedge of the blade has been disposed in various spaced positions relativeto the guard and many devices for preserving the selected relation havebeen devised. Examples are shown in the following United States patents:

Dalkowitz, 1,773,614 Masip et al., 2,078,150 Glazier, 2,085,423Schroder, 2,666,982

, .These various structures differ among themselves in tures are forthepurpose of shaving at or above the skin surface' In other structuressuch as Lewis 2,234,440, not designed for shaving, a guard is providedfor the purpose of assuring that the hair is cut at a level above thesurface of the skin andtthis guard is positioned between the blade andthe skin. In still other structures, intended for shaving, the guardcomprised flexible teeth or springs placed in contact with the cuttingedge of the blade, but in the operation of the last-mentioned types ofdevices such as those shown in United States patents to Seko 2,710,446or Kampfe 228,904, the flexible teeth or springs are moved either by thepressure of the skin on them or by forces transmitted in the cutting ofhair. The shearing of hair requires tremendous forces in terms of poundsper square inch. Those razors mentioned above which areoperable involvesubstantial skill in manipulation and the construction is such that cutsoccasionally result. This is a matter of common and general observationamong users of prior art safety razors.

The present invention is directed to the shaving of hair, not at orabove the skin surface, but on a plane 3,004,337 Patented Oct. 17, 1961ice below the skin surface and close to the plane of emergence of thehair..

Hair emerges from the follicle below the surface of the skin and aperfect shave is accomplished when it is cleanly cut at the plane ofemergence. This plane below the surface, within the epidermis, can notbe reached by the cutting edge in prior art methods without cutting theskin.

It is an object of the present invention to provide means and method forshaving hair below the skin surface and near the plane of emergence ofhair without cutting the skin. 7

An important objectof the invention is to provide, in a safety razor,the combination of a blade having a beveled cutting edge, a plurality ofrigid spaced obstructions, in positive abutment with and extendingtransverse to said edge, said edge presenting sharp cutting sections inthe spaces between said obstructions, said obstructions and edgesupplementing each other to present dull sectors between said cuttingsectors, and means for securing said obstructions in contact with saidedge, said obstructions beingspaced to prevent entry of skin but topermit entry of hair between them.

After arriving at the realization that hair should be shaved near theplane of emergence, and after arriving at the concept that rigid spacedobstructions, extending transverse to but in positive coutactwith theblade edge provide the answer. mentally confirmed the fact that theoptimum width of the obstructions is in the range from 0.002 to 0.006inch and that the optimum width of the hair cutting blade sectionsbetween the obstructions is from 0.008 to0.03 inch. Accordingly, anotherobject of the invention is to provide a razor construction characterizedby obstructions so spaced and dimensioned.

Another object of the invention is to provide a combination of blade andobstructions so formed and spaced that while the substantiallytangential continuity of the obstructions and blade edge presents asubstantially smooth and blunt surface to the skin during shaving, thespaces between the obstructions permit the hair but not the skin toenter such spaces, whereby the combination effectively functions as asafe selective cutter.

Another major object of the invention is to provide, in a razor,a'combination of blade and obstructions of the character described,which renders the razor suitable for shaving preparatory to surgicaloperations,.a usage in which both complete protection of the skinsurface and clo-secutting are absolutely mandatory, and a usage to whichthe prior art devices mentioned above are neither specifically directednor generally suitable.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide acombination of blade and obstructions which is suitable forincorporation in any of the standard razor constructions generallyavailable on the market, these being exemplified by the well-knownGillette, Schick and Gem types. Any of these types can be readilymodified to incorporate a blade and obstructions in accordance with theinvention.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with arealization of further objects, advantages and capabilities thereof,reference is made to the following description of the accompanyingdrawings.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of the skin surface showing a hair emergingtherefrom;

FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show the relationship, in section, be-

tween the FIG. 1 anatomy and a bevel-edged razor blade 2, 3 and 4, andbeing in accordance with the invention I determined a priori and experiFIG. 5 is a perspective view, generally in top plan, of a combination inaccordance with the invention comprising a beveled edged blade, spacedobstructions, and a blade positioning member integrally carrying theobstructions and positioning them in positive abutment with the bladeedge;

FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of a suitable complete razorconstruction incorporating the invention, with the retainer open;

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the same complete razor, with theretainer closed;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of such complete razor, generally in topplan; and

FIG. 9 is a greatly enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken in thearea indicated by thedashed circle of FIG. '7.

Referring now to FIG. 1, it shows a whisker 11 drawn about forty timesactual size, emerging from the skin.-

12 at the plane 13. The plane of emergence 13 is the plane in which itis desired that the whisker be cut, without cutting the skin.

FIG. 2 shows obstructions 14 and 15 extending from the .cutting edge 16of a blade and depressing the surface of the skin to the. plane ofemergence 13, and the obstructions so widely spaced that the skin bulgesabove the cutting edge so that the skin would be cut.

FIG. 3 shows the obstructions 14 and 15 spaced about 0.02 inch and theskin mounds bulging beyond the plane of the cutting edge so little thatenough epidermis may be removed by cutting to cause razor burn but notenough to cause bleeding.

FIG. 4 shows obstructions I4 and 15 spaced about 0.012 inch and theskin-12 is generally below the cutting edge 16-except for mounds sosmall as not to be cut at all, the'edge sliding over the mounds. Theskin can not be cut, the whisker 1118 held firmly, pressure is notcritical, shaving is quite comfortable, there is no razor burn, andingrown hair from shaving is not experienced.

The principle of my-invention will be understood from the foregoing. f

It should 'be emphasized that the obstructions are in positive abutmentwith the cutting edge, so that, while the edge presents sharp cuttingsectors in the spaces between the obstructions, the obstructions andcutting edge supplement each other to present dull sectors between thecutting sectors.

The combination of blade'and obstructions can be used for shaving withcomplete safety, the blade side pressed to the skin withgreat latitudein pressure. Very little pressure is required to depress the surface .ofthe skin and unreasonably great pressure lowers it no more than to theplane of hair emergence, where the hair is cleanly ,cut without cuttingthe follicle and surrounding epidermis. Neither skill nor care isrequired to make it so function.

Thestifi'ened cutting edge and firmly held hair allow a clean out which,with the uncut follicle and epidermis, eliminates the chief causesofrazor burn and ingrown hair.

This construction in no wise resembles a comb in which a combingfunction is performed by teeth extending forwardly of the blade edg Inmy construction an edgeblunting function. is performed by rigidobstructions extending transversely of the blade edge. Theobstructionsmust be rigid and in positive abutment with the blade edge and theobstructions can be electro-deposited or-cast;, or otherwise bonded ontothecutting edge. A preferred method of placement of the obstructionsupon the cutting edge is to provide a blade-positioning member 17- (FIG.5) which integrally carries spaced obstruction ch 38514, 1.5, etc.,this-member'17 being shaped I forpositioning the obstructions inabutment with the blade edge. Again, it 'is reiterated that thesignificant factor here is the obstructions extending transverse to 4the blade edge. The obstructions 14 and 15 are, of course, provided withrounded frontal surfaces extending forwardly of the blade'edge and theblade edge is related to such surfaces in tangential continuity so thatthe combination of blade and obstructions is comfortable when pressed tothe body or face.

The shape of the obstructions is not critical but should be sufiicientlyrounded to be comfortable when pressed to the face. The thickness isalso not critical except that the obstructions must be suflicientlyrigid to hold them immutably of the cutting edge when cutting the hair.Any shifting of the obstructions on the edge at the clamping pressurerequired for rigid abutment while cutting the hair would break or atleast dull the adjacent edge. The width of each obstruction may be from0.002 inch to 0.006 inch, large enough to reject'the skin and not largeenough to matt down a hair. Spaces between obstructions over about 0.03inch permit the skin to enter enough to cut some of the follicle andepidermis, resulting in razor burn. Whiskers are from 0.004 inch to 0.01inch in diameter, generally about 0.006 inch and rarely over 0.008 inch,so spaces as small as 0.008 inch are practical for youths and Women. Iprefer obstructions 0.003 inch to 0.005 inch wide with spaces 0.01 inchto 0.012 between them.

As stated above, my preferred method of placing the obstructions uponthe cutting edge is to machine a member 17 with the ends oftheobstructions shaped, sized and spaced to form an assembly ofobstructions which can be attached to safety razors of present design ormade a part of razors of new design.

Thus it will be seen that theinvention provides in a safety razor thecombination of a blade having a beveled cutting edge '16, a plurality ofrigid spaced obstructions 14, 15, etc., in positive abutment with andextending transversely to said edge, said edge presenting sharp cuttingsectors in spaces between said obstructions, said obstructions and edgesupplementing each other to present dull spaced sectors between saidcutting sectors, and a body member 17 for securing said obstructions incontact with said edge 16, each of said obstructions 14, 15, etc. havinga width of from 0.002 to 0.006 inch and each of the spaces between theobstructions having a width of from 0.008 to 0.03 inch. The obstructionsare formed with curved forward surfaces extending 0.001 to 0.015 inchforwardly of said edge 16.

FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9 show the combination of blade and obstructions in'accordance with the invention as incorporated in standard safety razororganization. This razor comprises a handle 20, and a retainer 21. Theretainer is pivotally mounted at 22 and'has secured to it a member onwhich there is formed a manual operating lug 23 and another lug 24 whichpresses against a bias spring 25 in such a manner as to biastherretainer normally in the position shown in FIG. 7. The constructionso far described is purely conventional and need not be detailedfurther. There is placed in the razor organization a double bevelededgeblade having a cutting edge 16 and it is held by an'underlyingbifurcation 26 in such a fashion that the edge is in positive abutmentwith the obstructions such as 14, formed on a blade-positioning member17'. Member 17' is identical to that shown in FIG. 5, but is providedwith an integral bend 27 and a principal bifurcation or body portion 28to fit it into the general organization. The blade is secured inpositionat both ends by tangs 29 and 30, and centrally by tang 31, all fonnedintegrally with body portion 28 of member 17, the blade being suitablyformed with openings accommodating the tangs.

.Attention is invited to FIG. 9 which shows a cross-section through ablunted sector, It will be observed that 'the included angle of theblade is roughly 16 degrees so that case, the obstruction 14 and blade16, taken together, would press a dull angle of 106 degrees to the skin,which manifestly would not cut it. This result is accomplished and atthe same time the structure is rendered adapted to a comfortable shaveby rounding the frontal surfaces of the obstructions 14.

While there has been shown and described what is at present believed tobe the preferred embodiment of the invention, it will be understood bythose skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may bemade herein without departing from the scope of the invention as definedin the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a safety razor the combination of a fiat-bodied blade having abeveled cutting edge, a plurality of rigid spaced end and intermediateobstructions in positive abutment with and extending transverse to thebevel of said edge, the apex of said edge presenting sharp cuttingsectors in the spaces between said obstructions, said obstructions andedge supplementing each other to present dull sectors between saidcutting sectors, and means for securing said obstructions and the bevelof said edge in contact with each other so that adjacent surfaces of thebevel and the obstructions firmly contact each other from base to apexof said edge, each of said obstructions having a width of from 0.002 to0.006 inch, and each of the spaces between the obstructions having awidth of from 0.008 to 0.03 inch to permit entry of hair between theobstructions but to prevent entry of skin between them.

2. In a safety razor for shaving, the combination of a standard bladeformed with a beveled cutting edge, a blade-positioning membercomprising a body portion disposed in an acute angular relationship tosaid blade and on the opposite side of the blade to the whiskers beingshaved, said blade-positioning member also being formed with abifurcation underlying said blade and supporting it in said angularrelationship, said blade-positioning memher being further formed with aplurality of rigid, integral, spaced, skin depressing obstructionsextending transversely of said edge, said edge presenting sharp cuttingsectors in the spaces between adjacent obstructions, each of said spaceshaving a width of from 0.008 to 0.03 inch to prevent entry of skin butto permit entry of hair between obstructions, said obstructions beingformed with curved surfaces extending from 0.001 to 0.015 inch inadvance of said edge but positioned in continuity with said edge so thatadjacent surfaces of said obstructions and edge are parallel and firmlycontact each other from base to apex of the edge to present dull sectorsbetween said cutting sectors, each of said obstructions having a widthof from 0.002 to 0.006 inch, and means for securing the blade in saidacute angular relationship comprising a biased retainer on the oppositeside of the blade and a pair of integral tangs formed on the ends of thebody of the bladepositioning member.

3. In a safety razor, the combination of a blade having a beveledcutting edge, a plurality of rigid spaced obstructions in positiveabutment with and extending transverse to said edge, said edgepresenting sharp cutting sectors in the spaces between saidobstructions, said obstructions and edge supplementing each other topresent dull sectors between said cutting sectors, and means forsecuring said obstructions in contact with said edge, said obstructionsbeing spaced to prevent entry of skin but to permit entry of hairbetween them, said obstructions being formed with curved forwardsurfaces extending forwardly of the edge and in tangential continuitytherewith, and said means for securing said obstructions in contact withsaid edge comprising: a body member integrally formed with theobstructions, means comprising a bifurcation on the body member forsupporting the blade body at an angle to said member, and a retainer,said retainer being placed on the side of the blade body opposite saidbody member and supporting means to clamp the blade in place.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS915,989 Moore Mar. 23, 1909 923,077 Reichard May 25, 1909 936,045Schimkat Oct. 5, 1909 1,008,966 Grover Nov. 14, 1911 1,119,327 TwiningDec. 1, 1914 1,135,362 Craven Apr. 13, 1915 1,357,221 Chadwick Nov. 2,1920 1,507,264 Stevenson Sept. 2, 1924 1,724,496 McCreery Aug. 13, 19291,773,614 Dalkowitz Aug. 19, 1930 2,078,150 Masip, et a1 Apr. 20, 19372,143,276 Martin Jan. 10, 1939 2,335,536 Reynolds Nov. 30, 19432,582,041 Kaplan Jan. 8, 1952 2,856,683 Spanel Oct. 21, 1958

